Wine Tram Day Two: Discovering Franschhoek’s Red Line Wineries

Day Two of our Wine Tram adventure would not be outdone by Day One on the Blue Line. With Grace as our fantastic tram host, we set out to explore the Red Line, which included wine estates such as Mont Rochelle, Haute Cabrière, Lynx, Paserene, Rickety Bridge, Grande Provence, and Franschhoek Cellar.

Wayne and I were especially excited about Mont Rochelle—we had celebrated Wayne’s birthday there previously and couldn’t wait to share that memory with Denise.

🍇 Stop One: Grande Provence

Our first stop was the iconic Grande Provence, a winery with more than 325 years of history rooted in French Huguenot heritage. Driving up its cypress-lined driveway, we were greeted by dramatic sculptures, stunning mountain views, and the promise of a memorable tasting experience.

Here, we met a young mom studying to become a Sommelier, a profession that requires deep skill and dedication. Inspired by her journey, we sampled selections from the approachable Angels Tears range, including:

• Sauvignon Blanc
  

• Moscato
  

• Pinotage Rosé
  

• Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon
  

• Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon
  

• Natural Sweet White
  

Knowing the day was packed with tastings, we wisely began pacing ourselves, sharing glasses as we went along.

🍷 Stop Two: Lynx Wine Estate

Next up was Lynx Wine Estate, one of Franschhoek’s newer gems. Founded in 2002, Lynx is a boutique winery nestled between the Drakenstein and Wemmershoek mountains, with vineyards covering just 11 hectares. Its name honors the wild cats that once roamed this valley.

Our visit here felt especially uplifting, holy-filled, and inspirational thanks to Francis, our host. She welcomed us warmly and guided us through tastings of:

• Shiraz (their flagship, bold and spicy)
  

• Cabernet Sauvignon
  

• Cabernet Franc
  

• Rosé
  

• Sauvignon Blanc
  

• Viognier
  

The wines were complemented by some of the most delectable appetizers—French fries, calamari, and fresh salads—that hit the spot before lunch. Francis even introduced us to the cook, a thoughtful touch that made the experience personal and memorable. Honestly, if our day had ended at Lynx, we would have left perfectly content.

🌿 Stop Three: Paserene Winery

From tradition to boutique charm, we moved on to Paserene Winery—a study in modern artistry. With its sleek, high-ceilinged tasting room and glass walls, Paserene brings the outdoors in, offering panoramic vineyard views while you sip.

Some might find the clean, minimalist architecture a bit cold, while others (like us) appreciated its striking design. The wines here were every bit as polished as the setting:

• Flagship Range: Maritime Sauvignon Blanc blend, Union red blend
  

• Elements Range: Bright Chardonnay, Dark Syrah/Cabernet
  

The pairing of modern design with thoughtful winemaking left us simply saying: Beautiful.

✨ What’s Next

And just like that, the day was racing by. With two wineries still to go, I’ll pause here so as not to overwhelm you with too much at once.

In my next post, I’ll share our experiences at the final two estates on the Red Line, along with our overall ratings—including which Wine Tram line we loved the most: the Blue Line or the Red Line.

👉 Stay tuned, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the finale of our Wine Tram adventure!